--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is an axiom in my mind that our…" description: "\"It is an axiom in my mind that our liberty can never be safe but in the hands of the people themselves, and that too of the people with a certain degre..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c79/thomas-jefferson-43_certain_it-is-an-axiom-in-my-mind-that-our-liber_146606.jpg" --- # It is an axiom in my mind that our liberty can never be… ![“It is an axiom in my mind that our liberty can never be safe but in the hands of the people themselves, and that too of the people with a certain degree of instruction. This it is the business of the state to effect, and on a general plan.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c79/thomas-jefferson-43_certain_it-is-an-axiom-in-my-mind-that-our-liber_146606.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c79/thomas-jefferson-43_certain_it-is-an-axiom-in-my-mind-that-our-liber_146606.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c79/thomas-jefferson-43_certain_it-is-an-axiom-in-my-mind-that-our-liber_146606.jpg) > “It is an axiom in my mind that our liberty can never be safe but in the hands of the people themselves, and that too of the people with a certain degree of instruction. This it is the business of the state to effect, and on a general plan.” [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Liberty is safe only when educated citizens hold power; the state’s role is to facilitate this through structured plans. **In simple terms:** Freedom needs educated people and organized governance. Key Takeaway Promote education for true liberty. Themes politics education citizen empowerment Mood hopeful serious Type philosophical instructional When to use this quote - government policy - public education - civic engagement Key Concepts democracy social contract Questions to Reflect On - How can societies ensure informed participation? - What structures support educated governance? A Different Perspective Uneducated masses may misuse power. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Axiom Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/axiom-mind-1640934/) [Certain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/certain/) [Degrees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/degrees/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Hands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hands/) [Instruction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instruction/) [Jefferson memorial](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jefferson-memorial-96581/) [Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberty/) [Liberty Safe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberty-safe-1640933/) [Memorial](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memorial/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Mind Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind-liberty-823243/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Plans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plans/) [Political](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Safe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/safe/) [Safe Hands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/safe-hands-1254847/) [States](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/states/) ## Related quotes > [Convinced that the people are the only safe depositories of their own liberty, and that they are not safe unless enlightened to a certain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/convinced-that-the-people-are-the-only-safe-depositories-of-their-own/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [There is a fundamental difference between separation of church and state and denying the spiritual heritage of this country. Inscribed on the Jefferson Memorial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/there-is-a-fundamental-difference-between-separation-of-church-and/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [CBGB represents a lot to New York City and to underground rock and to new wave and post-punk and whatever. But, you know, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-grohl/cbgb-represents-a-lot-to-new-york-city-and-to-underground-rock-and-to/) [Dave Grohl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-grohl/) > [To walk into the Jefferson memorial is to be in a temple of the pure idolatry of reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scot-mcknight/to-walk-into-the-jefferson-memorial-is-to-be-in-a-temple-of-the-pure/) [Scot McKnight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scot-mcknight/) > [Directly down the lawn and accross the Ellipse from the White House are those ordered, classic lines of the Jefferson Memorial and the eyes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/directly-down-the-lawn-and-accross-the-ellipse-from-the-white-house/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [Nothing is more certainly written in the book of fate than that these people are to be free. Nor is it less certain that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/nothing-is-more-certainly-written-in-the-book-of-fate-than-that-these-2/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [A mind at liberty to reflect on its own observations, if it produce nothing useful to the world, seldom fails of entertainment to itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-berkeley/a-mind-at-liberty-to-reflect-on-its-own-observations-if-it-produce/) [George Berkeley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-berkeley/) > [He that outlives a wife whom he has long loved, sees himself disjoined from the only mind that has the same hopes, and fears,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/he-that-outlives-a-wife-whom-he-has-long-loved-sees-himself-disjoined/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [To the medieval mind a liberty was a right to the enjoyment of a specific property It was a freedom to do something with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-bryant/to-the-medieval-mind-a-liberty-was-a-right-to-the-enjoyment-of-a/) [Arthur Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-bryant/) > [Writing, for me, has to do with liberty of mind. The liberty to intuit, assess, be surprised, even to be ashamed and reconsider. To…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-sheck/writing-for-me-has-to-do-with-liberty-of-mind-the-liberty-to-intuit/) [Laurie Sheck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-sheck/) > [“I just want my heart to be safe in your hands because yours is safe in mine.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karina-halle/i-just-want-my-heart-to-be-safe-in-your-hands-because-yours-is-safe/) [Karina Halle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karina-halle/) > [You hold my world in your hands and I'm not afraid my world is safe in your hands.. ¥](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-hold-my-world-in-your-hands-and-i-m-not-afraid-my-world-is-safe/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [All books are in safe hands with me. They're my children, my inky children, and I look after them well. I keep the sunlight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/all-books-are-in-safe-hands-with-me-they-re-my-children-my-inky/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When it's the same team that's created magic at the box office in the past, you know you are in safe hands.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-fernandez/when-it-s-the-same-team-that-s-created-magic-at-the-box-office-in-the/) [Jacqueline Fernandez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-fernandez/) > [When you are in safe hands of a brilliant filmmaker and an ace co-actor, there is nothing to fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taapsee-pannu/when-you-are-in-safe-hands-of-a-brilliant-filmmaker-and-an-ace-co/) [Taapsee Pannu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taapsee-pannu/) ## More by Thomas Jefferson > [A man has a right to use a saw, an axe, a plane, separately; may he not combine their uses on the same piece…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-man-has-a-right-to-use-a-saw-an-axe-a-plane-separately-may-he-not/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [ \[States and the Federal government are\] coordinate departments of one simple and integral whole... The one is the domestic, the other the foreign branch… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/states-and-the-federal-government-are-coordinate-departments-of-one/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [I am for freedom of religion, and against all maneuvers to bring about a legal ascendency of one sect over another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-am-for-freedom-of-religion-and-against-all-maneuvers-to-bring-about/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of a day; but a series of oppressions, begun at a distinguished period…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/single-acts-of-tyranny-may-be-ascribed-to-the-accidental-opinion-of-a/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“Perceiving the order of nature to be that individual happiness shall be inseparable from the practice of virtue, I am willing to hope it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/perceiving-the-order-of-nature-to-be-that-individual-happiness-shall/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Free government is founded in jealousy, and not in confidence; it is jealousy, and not confidence, which prescribes limited constitutions, to bind down those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/free-government-is-founded-in-jealousy-and-not-in-confidence-it-is/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Though you cannot see, when you take one step, what will be the next, yet follow truth, justice, and plain dealing, and never fear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/though-you-cannot-see-when-you-take-one-step-what-will-be-the-next/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [A well informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-well-informed-citizenry-is-the-best-defense-against-tyranny/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The two principles on which our conduct towards the Indians should be founded are justice and fear. After the injuries we have done them,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-two-principles-on-which-our-conduct-towards-the-indians-should-be/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Knowledge is power...knowled ge is safety...knowle dge is happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/knowledge-is-power-knowled-ge-is-safety-knowle-dge-is-happiness/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [There is... an artificial aristocracy founded on wealth and birth, without either virtue or talents... The artificial aristocracy is a mischievous ingredient in government,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/there-is-an-artificial-aristocracy-founded-on-wealth-and-birth/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Nothing but free argument, raillery and even ridicule will preserve the purity of religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/nothing-but-free-argument-raillery-and-even-ridicule-will-preserve/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [When the people are afraid of the government, that's tyranny. But when the government is afraid of the people, that's liberty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/when-the-people-are-afraid-of-the-government-that-s-tyranny-but-when/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable Rights,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/we-hold-these-truths-to-be-self-evident-that-all-men-are-created/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) [Explore all 2,098 Thomas Jefferson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) ## More Certain quotes > [I am certain that children always know more than they are able to tell, and that makes the big difference between them and adults,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-lusseyran/i-am-certain-that-children-always-know-more-than-they-are-able-to/) [Jacques Lusseyran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-lusseyran/) > [One can put some trust in the gratitude of a sovereign, and also in that of his family; under certain conditions, one can even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/otto-von-bismarck/one-can-put-some-trust-in-the-gratitude-of-a-sovereign-and-also-in/) [Otto von Bismarck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/otto-von-bismarck/) > [For successful education there must always be a certain freshness in the knowledge dealt with. It must be either new in itself or invested…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/for-successful-education-there-must-always-be-a-certain-freshness-in/) [Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/) > [People don't always realize that a record is forever. It'll always be there under your name. You've got to be certain that it's right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-iero/people-don-t-always-realize-that-a-record-is-forever-it-ll-always-be/) [Frank Iero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-iero/) > [Faith gives you a certain structure and meaning to your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riffat-hassan/faith-gives-you-a-certain-structure-and-meaning-to-your-life/) [Riffat Hassan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/riffat-hassan/) > [I started out dancing on a reality TV show, but always with the intention of making my way over to film. 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